SYF Graduate Studies Around the World

Start here. Go anywhere. is what Simon Youth Foundation, through Simon Youth Academies and Simon Youth Scholarships, stresses to students. The concept of this phrase has resonated since 1998 and with more than 10,000 graduates. A prime example of this is Roland Lewinski, a graduate from the Simon Youth Academy at Northgate Mall in Seattle, Washington. He has been in four different countries and two different states in the United States pursuing educational goals.

Roland’s journey has taken him to the countries of Poland, Italy, China and the United States, including Seattle, Washington and Chicago, Illinois.  This is quite a unique journey for a 23-year-old. Originally from Poland, both of his parents are teachers at the University of Wroclaw. At the age of seven, the family moved to Chicago where he attended elementary school and learned English. He finished middle school in Naples, Italy. They moved back to Poland in time for Roland to attend high school, but his father received a Fulbright Scholarship to the University of Washington. This is where some difficulties begin.

“The main problem was that I arrived after school had started in Washington and all my transcripts were foreign,” said Roland. “Most of the high schools in Seattle didn't know what to do with me, not to mention that none of them was sure if I actually had enough credits to finish my senior year in USA.”

In addition to this, the differences in teaching systems between Italy and Poland had him in line to finish high school two years ahead of schedule. The school system administrators weren't sure if he could graduate at the age of 16. This is when he was introduced to the Simon Youth Academy.

“I was warmly welcomed and the teachers promised to help me,” he said. “Thanks to the Academy, I had enough time to get my transcripts translated and I could graduate the same year. It was a great experience.”

After graduating from high school, he went back to Poland and began college at the University of Wroclaw. He has completed a degree in journalism and social communication with the specialization of branding and communication design. In addition, he has almost finished a master’s degree in international relations with the specialization of public diplomacy. He still needs to defend his thesis, but postponed this to study abroad.

Last year he applied for two scholarships: Confucius Institute Scholarship for language study in China and a Fulbright scholarship for studies in the USA. He received the Confucius Institute Scholarship and is currently studying in Shanghai, China until July. Roland is still awaiting reply on receiving the Fulbright Scholarship, but he wants to pursue a Master of Arts in east asian studies at a United States university. He credits the Academy to helping him stay on track for his educational goals.

“It gave me a chance to keep on my quite individual and unique educational path,” Roland said. “I am grateful for the understanding of my situation and willingness to help. If not for that I wouldn't be able to finish two faculties at the age of 22, only because I didn't fit the regular scheme. Some people need to move faster and others need more time – SYF helps both succeed.”